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The perennial human predicament, if the passage turns on one. 0-2 per passage.
After arriving in Philadelphia and learning how to go to New York via William Street depot, Douglass reaches New York Tuesday morning, September 4, 1838, as a free man and reflects on joy.
directed me to the William-street depot, and thither I went, taking the train that night. I reached New York Tuesday morning, having completed the journey in less than twenty-four hours. My free life began on the third of September, 1838. On the morning of the fourth of that month, after an anxious and most perilous but safe journey, I found myself in the big city of New York, a *free man*—one more added to the migh…
Douglass describes how Stuart shelters him and takes him to David Ruggles and the New York Vigilance Committee, leading to hiding, marriage to his wife (Rev. J. W. C. Pennington), and later passage to Massachusetts.
betrayer. Under this apprehension, as I suppose, he showed signs of wishing to be rid of me, and with whitewash brush in hand, in search of work, he soon disappeared. This picture, given by poor “Jake,” of New York, was a damper to my enthusiasm. My little store of money would soon be exhausted, and since it would be unsafe for me to go on the wharves for work, and I had no introductions elsewhere, the prospect for …
Joseph’s brothers return to Jacob, confess their distress, seek Benjamin, and later Joseph reveals himself, sends his shirt to restore Jacob’s sight, and frames the story as a divinely guided lesson.
"What," said the Egyptians, "shall be the recompense of him who hath stolen it, if ye be found liars?" They said, "That he in whose camel-pack it shall be found be given up to you in satisfaction for it. Thus recompense we the unjust." And Joseph began with their sacks, before the sack of his brother, and then from the sack of his brother he drew it out. This stratagem did we suggest to Joseph. By the King's law he…
During July 9-16, Pepys describes his wine cellar, discusses parish burial patterns amid plague, notes a solemn fast-day and high weekly deaths, manages a wedding shopping visit to Dagenham, and coaches the shy Philip Carteret’s courtship.
13th. Above 700 died of the plague this week. 14th. I by water to Sir G. Carteret's, and there find my Lady Sandwich buying things for my Lady Jem's wedding: and my Lady Jem is beyond expectation come to Dagenham's, [Dagenhams near Romford, now belonging to Sir Thomas Neave, Bart. This estate was devised by Mrs. Anne Rider, only surviving child of Sir Henry Wright, to her relative and friend Edward Carteret, Esq.…
On January 2nd–3rd Pepys hears that many places declare for a free Parliament and that the old “secluded” members may be called back; he spends the day drinking, plays cards at home, and visits Will’s in the evening.
the massacre of St. Bartholomew, 1572; and in our day, by Mr. Pitt, in his memorable speech in the House of Commons, January, 1793, after the murder of Louis XVI.--B.] was in the head of the Irish brigade, but it was not certain what he would declare for. The House was to-day upon finishing the act for the Council of State, which they did; and for the indemnity to the soldiers; and were to sit again thereupon in th…
In Corcyra, slaves join the commons, women fight with tiles, oligarchs burn buildings to stop a march, and after Athenian attempts to settle matters, the arrival of Peloponnesian ships leads to a confused sea battle and wider reprisals.
slaves and to invite them to join them. The mass of the slaves answered the appeal of the commons; their antagonists being reinforced by eight hundred mercenaries from the continent. After a day’s interval hostilities recommenced, victory remaining with the commons, who had the advantage in numbers and position, the women also valiantly assisting them, pelting with tiles from the houses, and supporting the melee wit…
Early spring of the next summer, Dercyllidas is sent to the Hellespont to incite Abydos’ revolt, Chios fights at sea, Strombichides captures Lampsacus, and Alcibiades’ refusal to support oligarchy becomes tied to Athens’ internal shift.
was no longer possible to relieve Chios without a battle. And this winter ended, and with it ended the twentieth year of this war of which Thucydides is the historian. Early in the spring of the summer following, Dercyllidas, a Spartan, was sent with a small force by land to the Hellespont to effect the revolt of Abydos, which is a Milesian colony; and the Chians, while Astyochus was at a loss how to help them, were…
After Alcibiades returns from Tissaphernes to Samos, envoys from the Four Hundred face angry soldiers, and Alcibiades persuades them to accept the Five Thousand while restoring the Council of Five Hundred.
exile, and among other charges against him accused him of having once asked him for money, and then given himself out as his enemy because he failed to obtain it. While Astyochus and the Milesians and Hermocrates made sail for Lacedaemon, Alcibiades had now crossed back from Tissaphernes to Samos. After his return the envoys of the Four Hundred sent, as has been mentioned above, to pacify and explain matters to the …
News of Euboean loss triggers panic at Athens, leads to deposing the Four Hundred and restoring government to the Five Thousand, and includes decrees for constitutional formation and the recall of Alcibiades and other exiles.
long afterwards effected the revolt of the whole of Euboea (except Oreus, which was held by the Athenians themselves), and made a general settlement of the affairs of the island. When the news of what had happened in Euboea reached Athens, a panic ensued such as they had never before known. Neither the disaster in Sicily, great as it seemed at the time, nor any other had ever so much alarmed them. The camp at Samos …
Mercury flies to Calypso’s island, finds Ulysses weeping on the shore, and delivers Zeus’s command that Calypso must release him so he can reach Scheria and then Ithaca.
he got to the island which was his journey’s end, he left the sea and went on by land till he came to the cave where the nymph Calypso lived. He found her at home. There was a large fire burning on the hearth, and one could smell from far the fragrant reek of burning cedar and sandal wood. As for herself, she was busy at her loom, shooting her golden shuttle through the warp and singing beautifully. Round her cave t…
After the men return from the pigsties, Odysseus argues with Eurylochus, then brings everyone inland to Circe; they stay a full year feasting and are told it is time to go home, leading to the next journey.
have left your ship, and first draw it on to the land. Then, hide all your ship’s gear and property in some cave, and come back here with your men.’ “I agreed to this, so I went back to the sea shore, and found the men at the ship weeping and wailing most piteously. When they saw me the silly blubbering fellows began frisking round me as calves break out and gambol round their mothers, when they see them coming home…
Telemachus reunites with Ulysses in disguise, with Eumaeus weeping for joy, and Telemachus learns that Ulysses arrived as a “Cretan” refugee; Telemachus discusses protecting him from suitors and explains the household’s ruin by the wooers.
ULYSSES REVEALS HIMSELF TO TELEMACHUS. Meanwhile Ulysses and the swineherd had lit a fire in the hut and were were getting breakfast ready at daybreak, for they had sent the men out with the pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did not bark but fawned upon him, so Ulysses, hearing the sound of feet and noticing that the dogs did not bark, said to Eumaeus: “Eumaeus, I hear footsteps; I suppose one of your men or …
Ulysses visits Autolycus on Mount Parnassus, receives gifts after hunting and killing a boar that injures his knee, and returns to Ithaca where nurse Euryclea recognizes his scar.
grows up and comes to visit his mother’s family on Mt. Parnassus, where my possessions lie, I will make him a present and will send him on his way rejoicing.” Ulysses, therefore, went to Parnassus to get the presents from Autolycus, who with his sons shook hands with him and gave him welcome. His grandmother Amphithea threw her arms about him, and kissed his head, and both his beautiful eyes, while Autolycus desired…
Euryclea’s recognition of Ulysses is cut off when Minerva distracts Penelope, so Ulysses restrains Euryclea from revealing him and hides the scar under his rags.
by the beard and said, “My dear child, I am sure you must be Ulysses himself, only I did not know you till I had actually touched and handled you.” As she spoke she looked towards Penelope, as though wanting to tell her that her dear husband was in the house, but Penelope was unable to look in that direction and observe what was going on, for Minerva had diverted her attention; so Ulysses caught Euryclea by the thro…
Euryclea tells Penelope that Ulysses has returned and killed the suitors; Penelope doubts the claim, but is convinced when Ulysses reveals the bed’s hidden construction and unique proof.
to the other two, “I shall not let these women die a clean death, for they were insolent to me and my mother, and used to sleep with the suitors.” So saying he made a ship’s cable fast to one of the bearing-posts that supported the roof of the domed room, and secured it all around the building, at a good height, lest any of the women’s feet should touch the ground; and as thrushes or doves beat against a net that ha…
Penelope and Ulysses reconcile by the bed-test, then Ulysses explains Teiresias’s prophecy about his final journey and peaceful death, while Minerva delays dawn and the household prepares to sleep.
PENELOPE EVENTUALLY RECOGNISES HER HUSBAND—EARLY IN THE MORNING ULYSSES, TELEMACHUS, EUMAEUS, AND PHILOETIUS LEAVE THE TOWN. Euryclea now went upstairs laughing to tell her mistress that her dear husband had come home. Her aged knees became young again and her feet were nimble for joy as she went up to her mistress and bent over her head to speak to her. “Wake up Penelope, my dear child,” she exclaimed, “and see wit…
Odysseus and his men reach Laertes’ farm in Ithaca; after ordering Telemachus and the servants to kill a pig, Odysseus tests whether his father recognizes him by speaking as a stranger while Laertes gardens alone.
the best pig that you can find for dinner. Meanwhile I want to see whether my father will know me, or fail to recognise me after so long an absence.” He then took off his armour and gave it to Eumaeus and Philoetius, who went straight on to the house, while he turned off into the vineyard to make trial of his father. As he went down into the great orchard, he did not see Dolius, nor any of his sons nor of the other …
Odysseus proves himself by describing a scar and the exact number of trees Laertes gave him, then Minerva helps Laertes regain a youthful, imposing appearance as the family gathers to eat and greet him.
“If you really are my son Ulysses,” replied Laertes, “and have come back again, you must give me such manifest proof of your identity as shall convince me.” “First observe this scar,” answered Ulysses, “which I got from a boar’s tusk when I was hunting on Mt. Parnassus. You and my mother had sent me to Autolycus, my mother’s father, to receive the presents which when he was over here he had promised to give me. Furt…
Arriving in Lacedaemon, Telemachus is taken to Menelaus’ feast for the wedding of his son and daughter, where Menelaus’s hospitality welcomes the strangers and Eteoneus and servants prepare them for banqueting.
Telemachus’ entertainment at Sparta, where Menelaus tells him what befell many of the Greeks on their return; that Odysseus was with Calypso in the isle Ogygia, as he was told by Proteus. And they came to Lacedaemon lying low among the caverned hills, and drave to the dwelling of renowned Menelaus. Him they found giving a feast in his house to many friends of his kin, a feast for the wedding of his noble son and dau…
Athene arranges Odysseus’s next step by visiting the Phaeacian princess Nausicaa in her sleeping chamber and impersonating Dymas’s daughter to instruct Nausicaa to wash clothes and prepare for marriage.
Nausicaa, going to a river near that place to wash the clothes of her father, mother, and brethren, while the clothes were drying played with her maids at ball; and Odysseus coming forth is fed and clothed, and led on his way to the house of her father, King Alcinous. So there he lay asleep, the steadfast goodly Odysseus, fordone with toil and drowsiness. Meanwhile Athene went to the land and the city of the Phaeaci…
The Phaeacians set Odysseus ashore in Ithaca and, after he sleeps and awakens, their journey ends with feasting in Alcinous’ palace and formal gifts and farewell as the escort prepares Odysseus’ return.
Odysseus, sleeping, is set ashore at Ithaca by the Phaeacians, and waking knows it not. Pallas, in the form of a shepherd, helps to hide his treasure. The ship that conveyed him is turned into a rock, and Odysseus by Pallas is instructed what to do, and transformed into an old beggarman. So spake he, and dead silence fell on all, and they were spell-bound throughout the shadowy halls. Thereupon Alcinous answered him…
Menelaus delays Telemachus briefly with gifts, food, and counsel; Telemachus departs with silver bowl and robe from Menelaus and Helen, receives an eagle omen interpreted as Odysseus’ return, and travels toward Pylos then by ship.
bespeaks thee kindly, and sends thee on thy way. For of him a guest is mindful all the days of his life, even of the host that shows him loving-kindness.” So spake he, and anon came the golden-throned Dawn. And Menelaus, of the loud war cry, drew nigh to them, new risen from his bed, by fair-haired Helen. Now when the dear son of Odysseus marked him, he made haste and girt his shining doublet about him, and the hero…
On Ithaca Telemachus rides forward and reunites with Odysseus in disguise at the swineherd’s hut, while Odysseus welcomes him emotionally like a long-absent father recognizing his son.
a kindly man, who is careful to give thee meat and drink and right well thou livest. But I have come hither still wandering through the many towns of men.” Thus they spake one with the other. Then they laid them down to sleep for no long while, but for a little space, for soon came the throned Dawn. But on the shore the company of Telemachus were striking their sails, and took down the mast quickly and rowed the shi…
Penelope prays and laments privately when she hears of the stranger being struck, then sends Eumaeus to summon him; Eumaeus reports the stranger’s claim of knowledge about Odysseus in Thesprotia and treasure-bearing return.
brooding evil in the deep of his heart. Then he went back to the threshold, and sat him there, and laid down his well-filled scrip, and spake among the wooers: “Hear me, ye wooers of the renowned queen, and I will say what my spirit within me bids me. Verily there is neither pain nor grief of heart, when a man is smitten in battle fighting for his own possessions, whether cattle or white sheep. But now Antinous hath…
Eurycleia wakes Penelope to announce Odysseus’s return and massacre of the wooers, but Penelope suspects divine trickery; she asks for verification, including Odysseus’s scar token known to them both.
Odysseus maketh himself known to Penelope, tells his adventures briefly, and in the morning goes to Laertes and makes himself known to him. Then the ancient woman went up into the upper chamber laughing aloud, to tell her mistress how her dear lord was within, and her knees moved fast for joy, and her feet stumbled one over the other; and she stood above the lady’s head and spake to her, saying: “Awake, Penelope, d…
Penelope struggles to speak face-to-face with Odysseus as she wonders if he truly is her husband in disguised rags, and Telemachus rebukes her while she insists on secret tokens to confirm identity.
[40] Reading σφῶι . . . . ἀμφοτέρω. Then wise Penelope answered her: “Dear nurse, boast not yet over them with laughter. Thou knowest how welcome the sight of him would be in the halls to all, and to me in chief, and to his son that we got between us. But this is no true tale, as thou declarest it, nay but it is one of the deathless gods that hath slain the proud wooers, in wrath at their bitter insolence and evil d…
Penelope questions Odysseus as a stranger and then prepares the bridal bed, but Odysseus proves his identity by describing how he built the bed from an olive tree.
he came, in form like to the immortals. Then he sat down again on the high seat, whence he had arisen, over against his wife, and spake to her, saying: “Strange lady, surely to thee above all womankind the Olympians have given a heart that cannot be softened. No other woman in the world would harden her heart to stand thus aloof from her husband, who after much travail and sore had come to her, in the twentieth year…
The ghost of Amphimedon explains how Penelope’s weaving trick delayed the wooers for years, and how Odysseus in beggar disguise used Telemachus and the bow to slaughter the suitors in Odysseus’ hall.
knew the dear son of Melaneus, renowned Amphimedon, who had been his host, having his dwelling in Ithaca. The soul of the son of Atreus spake to him first, saying: “Amphimedon, what hath befallen you, that ye have come beneath the darkness of earth, all of you picked men and of like age? it is even as though one should choose out and gather together the best warriors in a city. Did Poseidon smite you in your ships a…
In Hades, the ghost of Agamemnon praises Penelope’s faithful virtue and condemns Clytemnestra’s treachery, then Odysseus returns to Laertes’ farm where his old father’s grief and poverty are shown.
nought, even they who might wash the black-clotted blood out of our wounds, and lay out the bodies and wail the dirge, for that is the due of the dead.” Then the ghost of the son of Atreus answered him: “Ah, happy son of Laertes, Odysseus of many devices, yea, for a wife most excellent hast thou gotten, so good was the wisdom of constant Penelope, daughter of Icarius, that was duly mindful of Odysseus, her wedded lo…
Odysseus reveals himself as the missing Odysseus and demands proof by a manifest token, showing a scar and recalling trees and vines from Laertes’ childhood garden to confirm identity.
Then Laertes answered him and spake, saying: “If thou art indeed Odysseus, mine own child, that art come hither, show me now a manifest token, that I may be assured.” Then Odysseus of many counsels answered him saying: “Look first on this scar and consider it, that the boar dealt me with his white tusk on Parnassus, whither I had gone, and thou didst send me forth, thou and my lady mother, to Autolycus my mother’s f…
The reunited household prepares and eats a meal, then Rumor spreads the wooers’ defeat and Ithacans assemble; Eupeithes urges immediate counterattack, while Odysseus’ household sees public burial and mobilization.
beat back the wooers; so should I have loosened the knees of many an one of them in the halls, and thou shouldest have been gladdened in thine inmost heart!” So they spake each with the other. But when the others had ceased from their task and made ready the feast, they sat down all orderly on chairs and on high seats. Then they began to put forth their hands on the meat, and the old man Dolius drew nigh, and the ol…
Rebecca continues drawing water for the camels, receives gifts, agrees to go, and then meets Isaac as he comes from meditating; she becomes Isaac’s wife and brings him comfort after Sarah’s death.
And when she had given him drink, she said: I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have drunk enough. And she poured out her pitcher into the trough hastily, and ran again unto the well, to fetch water: and drew for all his camels. And the fellow wondered at her. But held his peace, to wete whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. And as the camels had left drinking, he took an earing of ha…
Moses, aged 120, tells Israel Joshua will lead them across the Jordan, instructs priests to read the law every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles, and commissions Joshua as Moses dies.
And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel and said unto them: I am an hundred and twenty years old this day, and can no more go out and in. Also the LORD hath said unto me, thou shalt not go over this Iordan. The LORD your God he will go over before thee and he will destroy these nations before thee, and thou shalt conquer them. And Iosua he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said. And the LORD sh…
After the sabbath Jesus is placed in a rock tomb and a group of women find it opened; Jesus appears, commissions his disciples to preach and says salvation and signs follow.
And began to salute him: Hail king of the jewes. And they smote him on the head with a reed, and spat upon him, and kneeled down and worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out, to crucify him. And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (which came out of the field, and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to bear his cr…
Crispinus at Venusia orders Marcellus to march to Venusia and reports his colleague’s death to Rome, prompting commissioners and senate directives, while Rome fights and raids near Clupea in Africa and other Greek reports circulate.
to the sea and their ships, leaving their works and the engines with which they battered the walls. Thus the siege of Locri was raised by the approach of Hannibal. 29. When Crispinus found that Hannibal had gone into Bruttium, he ordered Marcus Marcellus, a military tribune, to march the army, which his colleague had commanded, to Venusia. Having set out himself with his own legions for Capua, though scarcely able t…
Laelius returns to Carteia, sends messages to Lucius Marcius, and after the conspirators are frustrated, Mago momentarily gains relief and then learns of the Ilergetian rebellion and seeks help from Carthage.
sailing by it with great violence. The rest too, had they come in its way, it would have disabled; but Adherbal, with his remaining four ships, sailed over into Africa. 31. Laelius returned victorious into Carteia; and hearing there what had occurred at Gades, that the plot had been discovered, the conspirators sent to Carthage, and that the hopes which had brought them there had been completely frustrated, he sent …
After holidays, Hamilton and Freeland take Henry, John, and Charles from Easton jail while Frederick is left alone; a week later Captain Auld sends him away then returns him to Baltimore.
they would curse and swear at us, telling us that they could take the devil out of us in a very little while, if we were only in their hands. While in jail, we found ourselves in much more comfortable quarters than we expected when we went there. We did not get much to eat, nor that which was very good; but we had a good clean room, from the windows of which we could see what was going on in the street, which was ve…
David Ruggles helps Douglass in New York, arranging lodging and steering him away from staying there, then Pennington marries Douglass and Anna Murray on September 15, 1838 with a certificate.
situation,—the situation in which I was placed,—then, and not till then, will he fully appreciate the hardships of, and know how to sympathize with, the toil-worn and whip-scarred fugitive slave. Thank Heaven, I remained but a short time in this distressed situation. I was relieved from it by the humane hand of *Mr. David Ruggles*, whose vigilance, kindness, and perseverance, I shall never forget. I am glad of an op…
Andromache mournfully gives Aeneas parting gifts and prays for a shared destiny, then the fleet lands near the Ceraunian rocks at night and prepares to sail.
hence, and seek your new abodes, Blest in a son, and favour’d by the gods: For I with useless words prolong your stay, When southern gales have summon’d you away.’ “Nor less the queen our parting thence deplor’d, Nor was less bounteous than her Trojan lord. A noble present to my son she brought, A robe with flow’rs on golden tissue wrought, A phrygian vest; and loads with gifts beside O…
In the Joseph narrative, Jacob recognizes the shirt’s sign after it is thrown on his face, Joseph brings his family to Egypt, and the story is framed as a “secret history” teaching for all mankind.
8 Some take the Arabic Boshra as the proper name of the person who accompanied the drawer of water. 9 The apparition of his father, who said, "Hereafter shall the names of thy brethren, engraven on precious stones, shine on the breast of the High Priest. Shall thine be blotted out?" Tr. Sotah, fol. 36. Comp. Weil, Legenden, p. 109, n. 10 Lit. that he be imprisoned. 11 An infant in the cradle. Sepher Hadjascher, as…
Equiano describes traveling through Africa with relative ease of communication, then meeting his sister unexpectedly, briefly reuniting, and later being forcibly separated again under slavery.
the roads, at proper distances, to accommodate the merchants and travellers, who lay in those buildings along with their wives, who often accompany them; and they always go well armed. From the time I left my own nation I always found somebody that understood me till I came to the sea coast. The languages of different nations did not totally differ, nor were they so copious as those of the Europeans, particularly th…
Equiano laments being mocked by “freedom” and says he is disgusted with the West Indies until he can become entirely free by leaving them and returning to England.
of slavery to such a mockery of freedom? I was now completely disgusted with the West Indies, and thought I never should be entirely free until I had left them. "With thoughts like these my anxious boding mind Recall'd those pleasing scenes I left behind; Scenes where fair Liberty in bright array Makes darkness bright, and e'en illumines day; Where nor complexion, wealth, or station, can Protect …
Equiano steers successfully to Antigua and then arrives safely at Montserrat, is called “Captain,” and gains increased respect and affection among his friends after the captain’s death.
As we were now out of the variable winds, I thought I should not be much puzzled to hit upon the islands. I was persuaded I steered right for Antigua, which I wished to reach, as the nearest to us; and in the course of nine or ten days we made this island, to our great joy; and the next day after we came safe to Montserrat. Many were surprised when they heard of my conducting the sloop into the port, and I now obtain…
While walking in London, Equiano finds an old seafaring Christian and later attends a dissenting minister’s love-feast, where believers share experiences, hymns, prayer, and bread-like fellowship.
holy name was blasphemed in it; then I saw the word of God verified, viz. 'Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.' I had a great desire to read the bible the whole day at home; but not having a convenient place for retirement, I left the house in the day, rather than stay amongst the wicked ones; and that day as I was walking, it pleased God to direct me to a house where there…
After the love-feast Equiano vows to pursue Heaven, avoids his former lodgings of profanation, takes leave of card-playing, and anticipates being ready for judgment at Christ’s return.
that he knew not of, even among the just; and instead of judgment he has shewed mercy, and will hear and answer the prayers and supplications of every returning prodigal: O! to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrain'd to be! After this I was resolved to win Heaven if possible; and if I perished I thought it should be at the feet of Jesus, in praying to him for salvation. After having been an eye-witness t…
After his conversion, Equiano praises God in prayer, struggles to communicate with fellow sailors, values Bible reading, and narrates texts that comfort him; he later returns to England and hears a sermon by Mr. Romaine.
to pray with fresh ardour; and, in the abyss of thought, I viewed the unconverted people of the world in a very awful state, being without God and without hope. It pleased God to pour out on me the Spirit of prayer and the grace of supplication, so that in loud acclamations I was enabled to praise and glorify his most holy name. When I got out of the cabin, and told some of the people what the Lord had done for me, …
Washington describes the immediate atmosphere of freedom on the plantation—grape-vine news, buried valuables, songs shifting from afterlife freedom to bodily freedom—and the mixed gloom when responsibility begins.
labour was not the proper thing for them. On the other hand, the slaves, in many cases, had mastered some handicraft, and none were ashamed, and few unwilling, to labour. Finally the war closed, and the day of freedom came. It was a momentous and eventful day to all upon our plantation. We had been expecting it. Freedom was in the air, and had been for months. Deserting soldiers returning to their homes were to be s…
After emancipation, many change surnames and briefly leave the old plantation; Washington’s stepfather summons his family to the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, prompting a long overland journey.
Boyhood Days After the coming of freedom there were two points upon which practically all the people on our place were agreed, and I found that this was generally true throughout the South: that they must change their names, and that they must leave the old plantation for at least a few days or weeks in order that they might really feel sure that they were free. In some way a feeling got among the coloured people t…
After London’s plague lessened, people fleeing from London are instructed to return; John’s group settles in a decayed house near a farmer, repairs it, survives winter hardships, then returns to the city by December.
up against them; and that, on the other hand, they would be questioned wherever they came, and would be in danger of violence from others in like cases as themselves. Upon all these considerations John, their captain, in all their names, went back to their good friend and benefactor, who had relieved them before, and laying their case truly before him, humbly asked his advice; and he as kindly advi…
Du Bois quotes Mary Still’s account of women helping found the Black church after exclusion, and then links that spiritual ancestry to wartime figures Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth.
of today, with its five million members and ninety millions of dollars in property. One of the early mothers of the church, Mary Still, writes thus quaintly, in the forties: "When we were as castouts and spurned from the large churches, driven from our knees, pointed at by the proud, neglected by the careless, without a place of worship, Allen, faithful to the heavenly calling, came forward and laid t…
Du Bois recounts how, after encouragement from Paul Laurence Dunbar, Coleridge-Taylor ran music festivals and pursued German plans, but returned and died at thirty-seven; he was buried on September 5, 1912, with major public acclaim.
"Wince and cry aloud." Rather the hint here and there of color discrimination in England aroused in him deeper and more poignant sympathy with his people throughout the world. He was one with that great company of mixed-blooded men: Pushkin and Dumas, Hamilton and Douglass, Browning and many others; but he more than most of these men knew the call of the blood when it came and listened and answered. He came to Ameri…
On the roof of New York’s Metropolitan Tower, a rich white girl and a poor Black man reflect on death, shared humanity, and ritualized rescue, then send rockets into the night as their intimacy turns spiritual.
form of terror, struggle, hate, and suffering. It lay wreathed in crime and squalor, greed and lust. Only in its dread and awful silence was it like to death everywhere. Yet as the two, flying and alone, looked upon the horror of the world, slowly, gradually, the sense of all-enveloping death deserted them. They seemed to move in a world silent and asleep,--not dead. They moved in quiet reverence, lest somehow they …
Douglass recounts leaving Col. Lloyd’s plantation for Baltimore at about age ten, driven by joy at anticipated change, aided by Miss Lucretia’s instructions to scrub before moving.
am now. Without any appeal to books, to laws, or to authorities of any kind, it was enough to accept God as a father, to regard slavery as a crime. I was not ten years old when I left Col. Lloyd’s plantation for Balitmore(sic). I left that plantation with inexpressible joy. I never shall forget the ecstacy with which I received the intelligence from my friend, Miss Lucretia, that my old master had determined to let …
On January 1, 1835 Douglass leaves St. Michael’s for three miles to William Freeland’s farm, describing Freeland as markedly less cruel than Covey yet still a slaveholder.
might have been, had it not been abused by us. It was about as well to be a slave to *master*, as to be a slave to *rum* and *whisky.* I am the more induced to take this view of the holiday system, adopted by slaveholders, from what I know of their treatment of slaves, in regard to other things. It is the commonest thing for them to try to disgust their slaves with what they do not want them to have, or to enjoy. A …
In New York soon after escaping, Douglass describes reaching freedom as a joyful shock, mentally severing his slave chain, then narrates loneliness, danger, and his flight into anti-slavery networks.
TRANSITION FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM—A WANDERER IN NEW YORK—FEELINGS ON REACHING THAT CITY—AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE MET—UNFAVORABLE IMPRESSIONS—LONELINESS AND INSECURITY—APOLOGY FOR SLAVES WHO RETURN TO THEIR MASTERS—COMPELLED TO TELL MY CONDITION—SUCCORED BY A SAILOR—DAVID RUGGLES—THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD—MARRIAGE—BAGGAGE TAKEN FROM ME—KINDNESS OF NATHAN JOHNSON—MY CHANGE OF NAME—DARK NOTIONS OF NORTHERN CIVILIZATION—THE C…
While Douglass is hidden by David Ruggles, his wife Anna arrives from Baltimore, and they are married by Rev. James W. C. Pennington, after which Ruggles sends him to New Bedford for work.
I had written, informing her of my safe arrival at New York—and, in the presence of Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. Ruggles, we were married, by Rev. James W. C. Pennington. Mr. Ruggles 7 was the first officer on the under-ground railroad with whom I met after reaching the north, and, indeed, the first of whom I ever heard anything. Learning that I was a calker by trade, he promptly decided that New Bedford was the proper pla…
Theseus continues punishing evil men, performs purifications by the river Cephisus, reaches Athens on the eighth day of Cronius/Hecatombaeon, and reveals himself to Aegeus after Medea’s plot.
true one as good evidence of the greatness of his birth by noble and worthy actions, as by the tokens that he brought with him, the shoes and the sword. With this mind and these thoughts, he set forward with a design to do injury to nobody, but to repel and revenge himself of all those that should offer any. And first of all, in a set combat, he slew Periphetes, in the neighborhood of Epidaurus, who used a club for…
The passage praises Themistocles’ character through anecdotes about honor, keeping off rivals, using public timing for business, mocking fickle public praise, and later rebuilding Athens’ walls through delays and hostages.
their hands, and other expressions of joy, so that he himself, much gratified, confessed to his friends that he then reaped the fruit of all his labors for the Greeks. He was, indeed, by nature, a great lover of honor, as is evident from the anecdotes recorded of him. When chosen admiral by the Athenians, he would not quite conclude any single matter of business, either public or private, but deferred all till the …
Alcibiades returns to Athens after military victories, is welcomed with acclamations and mixed tears, and is formally restored and made general again, with a contested priestly absolution.
Lacedaemonians, who esteemed nothing to be honorable and just, but what was profitable for their country. The Lacedaemonians, upon hearing his defense, respected it, and discharged all that were accused. And now Alcibiades began to desire to see his native country again, or rather to show his fellow-citizens a person who had gained so many victories for them. He set sail for Athens, the ships that accompanied him b…
Marcellus, while consul in Rome, lets Syracusans accuse him and answers that their harms came from their own hostile choices; the senate vindicates him, he reconciles with them, and they grant honors for future visits to Sicily.
more excellent and more congruous to man, than one effected by mere force and courage. Which of the two is to be preferred, I leave to the determination of others. Marcellus being the fourth time consul, his enemies suborned the Syracusans to come to Rome to accuse him, and to complain that they had suffered indignities and wrongs, contrary to the conditions granted them. It happened that Marcellus was in the capito…